Ron Weasley handed a crunched up piece of parchment back to Neville Longbottom, his eyes slightly wider than they normally were, in surprise. "THE Joan Lupin?" He asked excitedly, Harry Potter and Hermione Granger rolled their eyes in unison, both praying for the lunch trolley.

“That's what I said, but she's real subtle about it.” said Neville, a small grin on his face, almost nervous, “I can't wait to meet her.”

“Me neither!” Ron said, half excited, and the rest very dreamily, slumping back into his seat. Hermione glared at him and shook her head, stroking her cat Crookshanks’ ginger head.

“Who is Joan Lupin?” Harry asked, feeling strange for not knowing, like he should have, since it was obviously something pertaining to the wizarding world, and therefore, he was left in the dark. Ron turned and looked at Harry wide eyed.

“Y'know, you miss a lot living with muggles.” He sighed.

"I spent half the summer with you!" Harry protested, feeling very left out of the wizarding world right then. He could only boggle at how Hermione had come up to speed so fast. Ron rolled his eyes again, as Neville dug through his trunk, standing on his tip toes and rummaging around blindly.

"Joan Lupin is a musician, a yank, but a good musician. She's the only girl in this band called 'Axis 25'." Ron said, "Fred and George are both nutters for her."

“Imagine; the wizarding Gwen Stefani.” Hermione explained, putting it in terms he would understand. Harry tried not to smile when Ron had the bewildered look on his face.

Neville squeaked as the train hit a bump and he lost his balance, landing heavily on the floor, but clutching a picture in his hands. Ron snatched it from him, "Oh yeah..." He sighed, looking very contented with himself.

"I'm going to find the lunch cart." Hermione said, standing up so fast that Crookshanks flew across the compartment.

Ron followed her out with his eyes, now very grumpy looking, "You would think as smart as she is she would understand SOME things." He stuck his jaw out defiantly.

Harry and Neville looked at him in silence for a moment, both in disbelief. Harry raised an eyebrow at him, shaking his head as he snatched the picture away.

There were three wizards in the picture, all in very fashionable muggle clothes. The tallest had dark blond hair, and blue eyes. He smiled a lot, and somehow Harry was reminded of Lockhart, with his good looks, and trying to use them, but in a more subtle manner. Another had dark curly hair, and an extremely big smile. The third was almost as tall, but had long blond hair in a pony tail, and was very reminiscent of Bill Weasley.

Then standing in front of them, much shorter, was a blond witch, with chin length hair and bright blue eyes. Harry felt some thing in his stomach, something he had not felt since he had seen Cho Chang, the pretty Ravenclaw seeker. The witch was wearing low cute brown pants, with a green tank top, holding an apple green bass.

"Why are they in muggle clothes?" he asked, handing the picture back to Neville.

"They're a muggle band too. Not as popular in the non-magical world, but getting there." He stopped, "Well, not anymore." He put the picture away, just as Hermione flung the door open.

"She's coming." She said resentfully, sitting back down and looking out the window. Just as soon as she had, the door flew open again.

Shadowing the door way, were Crabbe and Goyle, who looked like they wouldn't fit inside the door way any longer. And standing in front of them, taking up more of the door frame vertically than he had when they had seen him last, was Draco Malfoy.

"Fancy seeing you, Potter." He sneered.

"Do you just, enjoy bothering us every year on the train, or is that all you can come up with?" Ron asked, starting to get even angrier.

"No, I just thought I'd pay you back for that little stunt last time." Malfoy said. Crabbe grimaced at his words, rubbing his cheeks as Harry remembered the tentacles that had sprouted off when he and George had used two hexes at once.

No quicker than he had finished he sentence, he had his wand out and ready, and Harry suddenly realized that his was still in his trunk. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville all stayed still, recognizing the malice in his pale eyes. Neville was shaking with fear, Ron with anger; none of them had their wands with them.

"Hello Draco." They all heard a girl's voice from the hall that they didn't recognize, and was obviously foreign, as she lacked an accent. Malfoy turned sharply, surprised that someone else was on the train now.

Harry couldn't see what was happening outside, but saw Malfoy squint his eyes in annoyance, only looking slightly down at whoever he was talking to, which meant she must be tall.

"I'd leave them alone if I were you." She warned. The cabin inside was attentive.

"Trying to make up for something, Black?" Malfoy drawled lazily. Harry's ears perked up at the name Malfoy addressed her by. "You're in luck, Potter's right inside. You can choose now, finish him off, like your Uncle tried to, or run off with the muggle-lovers."

"Expelliarmus!" She shouted, Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle's wands all went flying out of their hands. "Leave now and I might not snap them." She threatened lowly.

Harry saw that Ron was craning his neck around to try and see, and he felt a smile crawling across his face as he listened to the scene unfold, only able to see the anger in Malfoy’s face.

"You wouldn't dare." Malfoy said, not really sure of himself, but his voice was lower than it had been, and he had his jaw clenched in anger.

"Oh wouldn't I?" She said, but Harry didn't hear any sound of snapping wood like he had hoped.

"Give those back." Malfoy demanded, "Now, or else." There was a moment of silence, then he spoke again, seeing he was obviously getting nowhere. "So what brings you to Hogwarts, Black? That Uncle of yours or that muggle-loving headmaster?" Malfoy teased, "Oh wait, you are a mudblood."

"Only as much as you are." The girl said, her voice at ease, though Harry could hear a smile in it.

Malfoy looked shocked at this, his expression exasperated. "I'm as Pure blooded as anyone could be." Harry had not expected this, he expected another hex, or at least, and attempt at one. He thought for sure any second now that Crabbe or Goyle might hit her.

"Except for your great-grandmother." She said, tossing the wands back. Harry was surprised, but knew it was foolish.

Malfoy raised his wand immediately, "Petrifi-what?" He said, as his wand squeaked and turned into a rubber rat.

Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville burst out laughing at this; she had given them back Fred and George's trick wands.

"I bought those from these fine gentlemen." She laughed, as Harry heard the nearest door open.

"Pleasure doing business with you, Lorelai." One of the twins said.

"Now," Lorelai said, handing back their real wands, but pointing her wand between Malfoy's eyes. "You will leave." She commanded. Malfoy started off, very pink in the face, with Fred and George visible, with their wands out as well, ready and pointed at them. They left the car, and Fred and George burst out laughing.

"That was amazing!" Fred laughed, still close to the compartment. Ron was on his feet, trying to get out in the hallway, trying to get a look at the girl that had faced Malfoy, Harry supposed, but couldn't leave, as the twins dragged the girl in.

She had long, straight, golden hair, with a red tint, hanging to her waist. She wore a slightly nervous smile, but a smile none the less.

Ron, who was still standing, grabbed her hand and shook eagerly. "I think you're my new best friend." He joked, "Ron Weasley."

She smiled, keeping her eyes on his face, "Fred and George told me about you, nice to meet you. I'm Lorelai." She smiled.

"Well, this is Neville Longbottom," Ron said, as Neville scrambled to get up off the floor, his eyes wide, "This is Hermione Granger," Ron leaned in closer, "She's a Prefect, watch out." Lorelai laughed harder.

"So am I." She giggled, pulling the badge out of her pocket and flashing it all at them before quickly putting it away.

"And this is Harry Potter." Ron said, motioning with his hand at him. Harry met the girl's glance, as the color suddenly drained from her face. Her eyes did the regular flick up to his forehead, but unlike most people, her expression wasn't awe; it was guilt.

"Well, nice to meet you all, I have to get running." She said quickly, "Excuse me." She nearly knocked George over as she ran out. They all exchanged puzzled looks, but quickly began talking about what she had done.

Soon enough, the Hogsmeade station was in view, and Harry could feel the train slowing to a stop. While Ron and Hermione bickered about something of no relevance, Harry was quiet, preoccupied with Lorelai Black's reaction to him.

He was used to people looking at his scar, but he had never seen anyone scared by it. Not meaning to tune Neville out, but doing so anyway, Harry climbed into a horseless carriage while Neville chattered about Joan Lupin.

Harry leaned his elbow thoughtfully against the window, as he heard familiar voices. Fred and George were talking and laughing with two girls. Harry looked out the window, recognizing both Katie Bell and Lorelai Black, the puzzling girl from the train.

They were all four loading into the carriage next to his. They were laughing and joking, talking loudly and friendly.

"Do you play Quidditch?" Fred asked Lorelai. She smiled.

"Yes. I love Quidditch." Lorelai answered with a smile on her face, allowing Katie and George to climb in.

"What position do you play?" Fred asked, holding the door for her.

"Beater." she answered.

"You better hope you get Ravenclaw, they're the only house with an open Beater position." Fred explained, Harry thought he might be flirting, but with Fred, it was hard to tell.

"What about Gryffindor?" Lorelai asked, starting to step up into the carriage.

"We need a new keeper."

"Sorry, I was never good as keeper." Lorelai laughed. "But I suppose anything's better than Slytherin." With that, Fred closed the door, and all Harry could hear were the muffled sounds of laughter.

"Harry! Are you even listening to me?" Hermione said sternly.

"No." Harry answered thoughtlessly, "I mean, yes... wait, what was the question?"

"As I was saying," Hermione said, growling, "What do you think is going to happen now that Quidditch is back on?"

"Um... I don't know." Harry said, sinking a little in his seat under Hermione's glare.

"That girl was cool. Weird, but very cool." Ron said suddenly, also earning a glare from Hermione, "I mean, I wouldn't take away Malfoy's wand, piss him off and then give it back." Ron reasoned, "She's either very confident or very stupid."

"We need to write to snuffles." Hermione said, watching Harry closely.

"Why?" Ron asked, Neville looking completely bewildered.

"Ask about Lorelai, you heard what Malfoy called her." Hermione reasoned.

"I'm sure it's not all a common last name." Ron rolled his eyes at Hermione.

"You never know." Hermione reasoned, "Have you heard from him, Harry?"

"Only once." Harry said, looking at Neville, who looked thoroughly confused, but shrugged his shoulders and looked out the window. "I'll tell you later."

Ron and Harry hurried into the Great Hall. This would only be the second time they had seen the sorting together. They had missed it their second and third years.

Hermione was already sitting at the table, saving a seat for each Ron and Harry. They sat down quickly as the first years starting marching to the front of the room nervously.

Fred and George joined the three, sitting across the table from them. They sat one plate apart, saving a seat in the middle.

"Who's sitting there?" Ron asked, pointing.

"Lorelai, after she's been sorted." Fred said.

"What makes you so sure she'll be a Gryffindor?" Hermione asked.

"Because if she's not he'll cry like a small baby, the pathetic git." George said, quickly receiving a quick punch to the arm. Just then, the Sorting Hat started it's song. When it had finished a minute later, the Great Hall burst into applause.

Harry saw Lorelai walk up, putting the hat on first, before any of the first years. The rest of the hall saw it eventually too, and everyone sat in silence for minutes, the whispering broke out all along the hall, as the hat stayed on Lorelai's head, longer and longer.

They all remembered what it was like to have the sorting hat placed on your head for the first time at Hogwarts.

"Hi!" A girl said happily, sitting next to Hermione and talking in a hushed voice. "My name's Joan!" She said excitedly through an American accent. Ron looked over at Joan, so did Fred and George, all staring wide eyed.

"Hi." Hermione managed to mutter as this short haired blonde girl shook her hand violently.

"I sent you a few letters, remember?" Joan asked Hermione, finally dropping her hand.

"I remember." Hermione smiled, "It's nice to meet you Joan."

"Poor thing," Joan said, looking up at Lorelai, "That's the other transfer student. I feel bad for her, I didn't even have the hat completely on and it was like 'GRYFFINDOR!'" Joan laughed quietly.

Joan joined the quiet students that were still in the hall.

"Please not Slytherin, please not Slytherin." Fred was mumbling under his breath.

"GRYFFINDOR!" The hat finally shouted. Lorelai sighed, her entire body relaxing. She stood as the Gryffindor table erupted in cheers for her.

She smiled over, seeing Fred and George and came to sit between the two of them. The rest of dinner progressed quite quickly, as everyone was eating too quickly to talk. Soon, as people were getting their fill, conversation reemerged at the Gryffindor table.

"So what about Quidditch?" Lorelai asked, "When y'all start?" She asked, bringing the pumpkin juice in her hands up to her lips. She had been talking mostly to Fred and George, and sometimes to Ron, making sure to avoid looking at Harry.

"Well, knowing Angelina, she'll want to start practicing pretty soon, probably next week." George laughed. "That and we need to audition for a keeper."

"What?!?" Joan Lupin suddenly cried out, slamming her goblet of pumpkin juice on the table. "Gryffindor needs a what?" She asked loudly, most of the table looking at her.

"A keeper." Harry said, leaning around Ron and Hermione to look at her.

"I played keeper at my old school!" She said happily, laughing and clapping. "Yes! I'm going to play Quidditch!" She said, giggling self-satisfyingly.

"You have to try out." Lorelai laughed.

"I'll make it." Joan said smugly, smiling with closed lips.

"Well, at least you get to play, there's not a position open for me!" Lorelai teased.

"What are you? Seeker?" Ron asked.

"No, I'm a beater." Lorelai answered.

"I'm the Seeker." Harry said, trying to lighten the mood between Lorelai and him.

She stared at him for a minute, "I had a seeker in the family." She said. Then very quickly, she looked back down at her food, prodding it.

"Who?" Fred asked, curious. "Did they play for Gryffindor?"

"My uncle." Lorelai said quietly, not raising her head. "Yes, he was in Gryffindor, though I think Slytherin would have suited him better." She spat.

"Not on good terms then?" George laughed. Lorelai laughed in return, and Hermione elbowed Ron hard in the ribs.

"OW!" Ron cried, grabbing his side, "What was that for?" Hermione looked at him sideways, with her eyebrows raised. She motioned towards Lorelai with her head, as Harry watched. He nodded, feeling his cheeks turning red.

"You're a fifth year, right?" Fred asked, the familiar sound of plotting behind his voice.

"Yep." Lorelai said, looking at Hermione strangely.

"Me too!" Joan said excitedly. "What school did you transfer from?"

"Salem Girls School of Witchcraft." Lorelai repeated, like she was used to saying it very much, sounding somewhat like a robot.

"I went to Phoenixbrow..." Joan trailed off, suddenly eyeing Lorelai suspiciously. Then she pointed madly, with her voice slightly raised, "You hit that bludger at me during the finals!"

Lorelai looked perplexed, then raised her eyebrows, "You had purple hair!" She laughed, pointing wildly as well.

"That's hardly a reason to hit a bludger at someone." Fred said.

"No, no... she forgot to mention that their seeker was diving for the snitch, which was pretty close to her, so I knew that the Seeker would miss it." Lorelai explained, twisting noodles around on her plate.

"Sure..." Joan laughed.

The rest of the night went by quickly, and soon enough, Lorelai and Hermione were ahead of all the first years, being the first to the portrait of the fat lady. "Fairy Wings!" Hermione shouted loudly.

"Great, another Percy." Ron whispered to Harry jokingly.

They were among the last to enter the portrait hole, and Hermione immediately grabbed their arms, pulling them over into a dark corner.

"You have to write to Snuffles about Lorelai." she hissed.

"Why?" Ron asked.

"Honestly Ron, do you pay attention to ANYTHING?" Hermione asked in a tone that suggested she was talking about more than Lorelai.

"What Malfoy said on the train, the way she talked about her uncle... the way she won't look at you." Hermione said to Harry, holding both his shoulders.

"So?" Harry asked, even though he knew she was right. "That's a silly question to ask."

"Then write and ask him if he played Seeker for Gryffindor." Hermione said simply. "Have you heard from him at all?"

"Only once, to tell me he made it to Lupin's." Harry said.

"What?" Joan asked. She had just come through the portrait hole. "Did you say something to me? I was spacing, sorry." She laughed, stepping closer.

"No, we were just talking about..." Hermione tried to think.

"Our first Defense Against the Dark Arts class." Ron added quickly.

"Oh," Joan laughed, "Well, I just came from his office." She said, then laughed again, smiling at Harry. "Well, I'll see you all later then, I'm going up to bed." She turned and walked up the stairs.

"Go write to him." Hermione urged Harry with wide eyes, then walked towards the fire place.

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